Hate to be a fly in the ointment but these are a little disappointing. The coats are a little too long. There are no BAYONETS on the guns of the shooters. There are no kneeling shooters and yes firing lines did have kneelers. Sorry. Just my opinion. Cappy

Well gee, I wonder why manufacturers neglected the period for so long.

Hate to be a fly in the ointment but these are a little disappointing. The coats are a little too long. There are no BAYONETS on the guns of the shooters. There are no kneeling shooters and yes firing lines did have kneelers. Sorry. Just my opinion. Cappy

Strelets have got it right here: the bayonet was not fixed when firing because it interfered with loading and the extra weight at the end of the barrel caused the shot to go lower. Actually in the bottom photo the right hand figure does have his bayonet fixed, so for an authentic firing line the customer will want to snip this off.

Kneeling figures (the bane of plastic ACW sets) are for skirmishing only, when troops in loose order could take advantage of cover. Close order infantry had both ranks standing, the rear rank men took a half step to the right and fired over the shoulder of the men in front, making sure the second barrel band , that way both ranks took the same time to reload and could fire rapid volleys.

"AIM.

One time and one motion.

174. Raise the piece with both hands, and support the butt against the right shoulder; the left elbow down, the right as high as the shoulder; incline the head upon the butt, so that the right eye may perceive quickly the notch of the hausse, the front sight, and the object aimed at; the left eye closed, the right thumb extended along the stock, the fore-finger on the trigger.

175. When recruits are formed in two ranks to execute the firings, the front rank men will raise a little less the right elbow, in order to facilitate the aim of the rear rank men.

176. The rear rank men, in aiming, will each carry the right foot about eight inches to the right, and towards the left heel of the man next on the right, inclining the upper part of the body forward.

FIRE.

One time and one motion.

177. Press the fore-finger against the trigger, fire, without lowering or turning the head, and remain in this position."

Not my period at all but just looking at the sculpting there's some very nice anatomatical proportions on show but on the other hand a hint in several figures of the return of the bow-legged, rickety stances that marred many of the older sets.

On the subject of fixed bayonets on the firing line: it was common enough for units to fix bayonets, move forward and engage successfully, and then find themselves functioning as the new firing line. They did not then unfix bayonets before firing. This happened more than once with Federal regiments at the Angle during Pickett's Charge (and I'm imagining the Union firing line as intended to be receiving that charge). So either fixed or unfixed bayonets could be fine for a firing line at Gettysburg.